All Inclusive Bhutan: 7 Days — Premium Paro, Thimphu & Punakha

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrive Paro — Premium Welcome

Arrive at Paro International Airport, descending through the Himalayan range with breathtaking views of the world’s highest peaks. Your private guide — an experienced, university-educated Bhutanese cultural expert — welcomes you and escorts you to your premium 4-star hotel. After settling into your comfortable accommodations with mountain views, enjoy a gentle orientation walk through Paro town. Visit the atmospheric ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a 17th-century fortress that once guarded against Tibetan invasions. The view of sacred Mount Jomolhari (7,326m) from the dzong ruins is one of Bhutan’s classic vistas. Your guide provides a detailed briefing on Bhutanese customs, Buddhism, and the concept of Gross National Happiness. Evening: welcome dinner at a fine restaurant featuring both Bhutanese specialties and international cuisine. Overnight at a premium hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro — Tiger’s Nest & Ancient Temples

Early morning departure for the signature hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). With your private guide, the experience is tailored to your pace. Ride a pack pony the first section if desired, stop at scenic viewpoints for unhurried photography, and receive continuous commentary on the monastery’s history, legends, and architecture. At 3,120 meters, the monastery reveals its full magnificence — golden roofs against the cliff face, prayer flags fluttering in the mountain breeze, the faint sound of chanting drifting from within. Explore the cave temples where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century. After descending, enjoy a late lunch at a riverside restaurant. Afternoon: visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the 7th-century temple and one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred Buddhist sites. The inner sanctuary houses an ancient statue of Jowo Sakyamuni, said to be of the same lineage as the famous statue in Lhasa’s Jokhang Temple. The temple’s peaceful orange trees — which miraculously bear fruit year-round — and the gentle sound of monks’ chanting create a deeply serene atmosphere. Evening: private hot stone bath (Dotsho) at your hotel’s spa. Overnight in Paro.

Day 3: Paro to Thimphu — Cultural Immersion

After a leisured breakfast, visit the National Museum (Ta Dzong) with your guide, exploring the exceptional collection of thangka paintings, ritual objects, and Bhutan’s famous stamps. Then visit a traditional farmhouse for an authentic Bhutanese tea ceremony — sua (butter tea) and zow (puffed rice snack). Continue to Thimphu (1.5 hours). After lunch in the capital, begin your Thimphu exploration at the Memorial Chorten. Watch elderly Bhutanese circle the stupa clockwise, spinning prayer wheels as they have done daily for decades. Ascend to Buddha Dordenma at Kuensel Phodrang — the colossal 51.5-meter gilded Buddha is even more impressive up close, its serene face visible across the valley. Visit Tashichho Dzong at dusk, when the golden roofs glow against the darkening sky and monks in crimson robes stream through the courtyards. Your hotel tonight is a premium 4-star property in Thimphu with valley views. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu — Arts, Hikes & Local Life

Morning: visit the Institute of Zorig Chusum, where students train in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts. Watch young artists at meticulous work — painting thangkas with brushes consisting of a single cat hair, carving intricate wooden masks destined for monasteries, and sculpting clay statues through a process unchanged for centuries. Next, visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where you’ll learn about Sowa Rigpa (Bhutanese traditional medicine), an ancient healing system using herbs, minerals, and animal products. See how herbs from Bhutan’s pristine mountains are processed into pills and powders. Afternoon: guided day hike in the hills surrounding Thimphu. Choose from trails ranging from gentle nature walks through blue pine forests to more challenging ascents with panoramic valley views. Your guide identifies medicinal plants, birds, and shares stories of mountain hermits and meditation caves. Evening: explore Thimphu’s handicraft market, the weekend market if timing aligns, or the upscale boutiques along Norzin Lam for fine Bhutanese textiles, hand-woven scarves, and silver jewelry. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha — The Magnificent Dzong

Morning drive to Punakha via the spectacular Dochula Pass. At 3,100 meters, the pass offers a breathtaking panorama of the eastern Himalayas — on clear days, the view stretches from Gangkhar Puensum (7,570m, the world’s highest unclimbed peak) to Masang Kang (7,200m). Walk among the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens, their golden finials catching the mountain light. Continue to the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, a temple built to honor the Fourth King and featuring stunning contemporary murals of Bhutanese history. Descend into the subtropical Punakha Valley, where the temperature rises and the vegetation transforms. After lunch at a riverside restaurant, visit Punakha Dzong — the most beautiful fortress in the kingdom. With your private guide, explore the dzong at a leisurely pace: the hundred-pillar assembly hall, the Machey Lhakhang with the embalmed body of Zhabdrung, and the courtyards where jacarandas bloom purple in spring. Walk the 17th-century suspension bridge for spectacular views of the dzong. Evening: riverside walk as the sun sets, painting the dzong’s white walls in shades of pink and gold. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Punakha.

Day 6: Punakha Valley — Day Hikes & Spiritual Sites

Begin the day with a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple. The 30-minute walk through terraced rice paddies framed by mountains is quintessential Bhutan. At the temple, your guide explains the fascinating legend of Drukpa Kunley (the Divine Madman) and the temple’s role in Bhutanese life. Nearby, visit one of Punakha’s traditional farmhouses for an authentic lunch prepared by a local family. Afternoon: guided day hike through the Punakha Valley. Choose from several spectacular trails — ascend to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning temple perched on a ridge above the valley (1.5 hours), or follow the Mo Chhu river trail through villages and forests. Return to your hotel for some relaxation — perhaps an Ayurvedic massage or time by the pool (select properties). Evening: exclusive farewell dinner at a specially selected restaurant overlooking the Punakha Dzong, illuminated against the night sky. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 7: Punakha to Paro — Departure

Enjoy a final Bhutanese breakfast. If your flight schedule allows, stop at the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi, a biodiversity hotspot in the Dochula region protecting 46 species of rhododendron. Drive to Paro International Airport, reflecting on a week spent in the world’s last remaining Mahayana Buddhist kingdom. From the unique approach of your flight to your first glimpse of Tiger’s Nest, from the golden roofs of Tashichho Dzong to the glacial landscapes of Dochula — Bhutan is not easily described. It is a kingdom that must be felt, a happiness that must be experienced. As your guide says “Tashi Delek” one final time, you carry not just photographs and souvenirs, but an understanding of a country that measures its success in happiness.

What’s Included

• 6 nights premium accommodation (4-star hotels throughout)
• Full board: daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (gourmet Bhutanese and international)
• Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100/day — fully included ($700 value)
• Private luxury vehicle with licensed Bhutanese driver throughout
• Dedicated private English-speaking Bhutanese cultural guide throughout
• Bhutan visa fee ($40) and processing
• Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang) private guided hike
• Traditional private hot stone bath (Dotsho)
• National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong) entry
• Kyichu Lhakhang (7th-century temple) visit
• Traditional farmhouse butter tea ceremony
• Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma, Tashichho Dzong
• Institute of Zorig Chusum (Arts & Crafts School)
• National Institute of Traditional Medicine
• Guided day hikes around Thimphu and Punakha
• Dochula Pass with 108 Chortens
• Punakha Dzong and 17th-century suspension bridge
• Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple
• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike
• Farmhouse lunch with local family
• All monument, dzong, temple, and museum entry fees
• Government royalties and tourism taxes
• Bottled water throughout the tour
• Airport transfers (both ways)

What’s Not Included

• International flights to/from Paro
• Travel insurance (mandatory for Bhutan)
• Personal expenses, laundry, spa treatments (except hot stone bath)
• Tips for guide and driver (customary: $15-20/day for premium service)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Phone calls and WiFi (available at all hotels, may be charged separately)
• Pack pony for Tiger’s Nest (optional, ~$15)
• Anything not specified in inclusions

Pricing & Booking

Tour Price: $2,400 per person (twin share) — All-Inclusive Premium Experience

At approximately $340 per day, this premium tour represents exceptional value when you consider that Bhutan’s SDF alone accounts for $100/day. After the government-mandated SDF ($700 for 7 days), your remaining $240/day covers private guide, private vehicle, 4-star accommodation, all meals (gourmet dining), all activities, and all entry fees — a remarkably comprehensive package.

Why Premium Matters:

• Private Guide: Your personal cultural expert, not shared with a group. Deeper knowledge, flexible pace, and personalized commentary.
• 4-Star Hotels: Properties like Zhiwa Ling, Terma Linca, and Dhensa offer spa facilities, excellent dining, and authentic Bhutanese architecture with modern comfort.
• Exclusive Experiences: Traditional medicine institute, butter tea ceremonies, and farmhouse lunches not available on group tours.
• Flexibility: Your itinerary adjusts to your interests, energy level, and weather conditions.

Book 4-6 months in advance for peak season (March-May, September-November). Bhutan’s strictly limited flight and accommodation capacity means premium tours fill especially quickly.

Key Features

• Private guide throughout — personalized experience, flexible pace, expert commentary
• Premium 4-star hotels with authentic Bhutanese architecture and modern comfort
• Dedicated luxury vehicle and licensed driver for the entire journey
• Guided day hikes in Thimphu and Punakha — trails matched to your ability
• Visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine — Sowa Rigpa healing arts
• Institute of Zorig Chusum: watch artisans train in 13 traditional arts
• All-inclusive transparency: SDF, all meals, activities, and fees covered
• Private hot stone bath and farmhouse lunch with local family